Maximising MEQ response rates
How can I maximise student response rates, given that the MEQ is online?
Online MEQ response rates are generally lower than those using hard copy versions (although some departments attain rates above 50%). Evidence from the pilots and early use of MEQs show that the following will help drive up response rates:
- Heads of Department, Heads of School and Directors of Teaching and Learning should actively encourage faculty to promote the MEQ to students as a viable and important outlet for their views and opinions of their module experiences.
- Lecturers should ideally display a slide regarding the MEQ during lectures in the "open" stage of the MEQ informing student of the importance of the MEQ and stressing the opportunity for students to voice their views and how this process can inform future module content / structure, providing a representative response is obtained. It could also give an example of where and how to complete the MEQ e.g., Sussex Direct screen shot and link.
- Tutors should also contribute to this process (if applicable) by reminding students of the MEQ aims and objectives - perhaps (where applicable) provide a small amount of time to log on and complete during a seminar/workshop/lab.
- Members of professional service staff within the Schools who are supporting the MEQ can email students, reminding them that the MEQ is open.
- Engage School student representatives in promotion of the MEQ.
- Promote the MEQ on plasma screens outside School offices.
- If you are teaching in a room that contains computers, leave five minutes at the end of the teaching session to enable students to complete the MEQ.
University-wide promotion includes articles in the Bulletin, Badger, website news items and posters that can be put up in School Offices.